Chapter 166 Peaceful and Tranquil Life - I've Made a Fortune in This Life
Spring of the 40th year of Xuanhe.
The Jiangnan region seemed warmer than usual this year.
The peach blossoms in Shenyuan Garden are in full bloom all over the mountains and fields, and the pink petals cover the bluestone path, like a red carpet leading to the end of happiness.
Shenyuan Garden is exceptionally lively today.
Because the mighty "Super Strong General" Shen An, who was famous throughout the world, returned to visit his family with his wife Jiang Guoguo and a string of children who looked like the Calabash Brothers.
"Great-Grandpa! Great-Grandma! I want candy!"
"Great-Grandpa! I want to see that big gold brick!"
A group of little kids were running around the yard, chattering like a flock of birds released from their cages.
Now middle-aged, Shen An has grown a beard and exudes a dignified and imposing air, but he remains henpecked in front of Jiang Guoguo. At this moment, he is frantically trying to hold his grandson.
"You brat! Don't touch that vase! That's your great-grandmother's dowry!"
"Hey! Don't pull that weed! That's a medicinal herb your great-grandfather planted!"
Seeing her son's flustered appearance, Jiang Mianmian, lying in the rocking chair, couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Hehehe..."
She smiled so hard her eyes narrowed into slits, and her full head of silver hair shimmered in the sunlight.
This is karma!
What goes around comes around; no one escapes the wrath of Heaven!
[This kid wrecked my house back then, and now his grandson is wrecking his. That's called—heredity!]
[Shen Jin, it seems our genes are truly too powerful.]
Shen Jin lay on another rocking chair next to her, holding the purple clay teapot that had long been polished and patinated in his hand, and smiled when he heard this.
"yes."
He looked at the group of energetic children, his gaze gentle. "Whatever. You're all energetic."
What does "follow my lead" mean?
Jiang Mianmian was displeased. "The one who's the naughtiest, the one climbing the tree, has the exact same eyebrows and eyes as you! He takes after you!"
"Alright, alright, whatever you want."
Shen Jin never argued with her. "It's good if you follow my lead. Following my lead... will allow you to marry a good wife."
Jiang Mianmian blushed and patted the back of his hand:
"Shameless old man."
The luncheon was held in the garden.
It's still Jiang Mianmian's favorite hot pot.
Although the imperial physicians had repeatedly advised that "the elderly should eat a light diet," Shen Jin had always indulged her in this matter.
"Great-Grandpa, what is this red thing?" the great-grandson asked curiously.
"That's chili pepper."
Shen Jin picked up a piece of mutton that was scalded until tender, blew on it to cool it down, and placed it in Jiang Mianmian's bowl. Then he said to his great-grandson, "It was your great-grandmother's... lifelong favorite."
"Do you love him more than your great-grandfather?" A child's innocent words.
The whole table fell silent.
Everyone looked at the two ancestors who were nearly 150 years old combined.
Jiang Mianmian chewed on the mutton, swallowed it, and then thought about it seriously for a moment:
This is a rather sharp question.
Hot pot is my life, and so is composure...
If I had to choose one...
She turned her head and looked at Shen Jin.
The man who accompanied her for half a century, tolerated all her willfulness, greed, and vulgarity, and listened to her heart's voice throughout her life.
The once spirited regent has become this wretched old man who only revolves around her.
[If it were before, I would definitely choose hot pot.]
But now...
Jiang Mianmian put down her chopsticks and, in front of her children and grandchildren, extended her withered but still warm hand and grasped Chen Jin's hand.
"Silly child."
She smiled and said to her great-grandson, "You can cook another hot pot if it's gone. But you only have one great-grandfather."
"He is... irreplaceable."
Chen Jin's hand trembled suddenly.
He gripped her hand tightly, their fingers intertwined, with such force that it seemed as if they were melting into one another.
In his heart, he silently replied:
The same to you.
My... is irreplaceable.
...
The hustle and bustle subsided, and the sun began to set.
The children and grandchildren had all gone to rest, and the courtyard returned to tranquility.
The golden afterglow spilled onto the two rocking chairs side by side, casting long shadows of the two old people that intertwined and became indistinguishable from one another.
Jiang Mianmian was a little sleepy.
She lived in this world for too long, and her life was too extraordinary.
He fought against the Empress Dowager, battled zombies, cursed corrupt officials, and saved countless lives.
She earned more money than she could ever spend, ate all the delicious food in the world, and slept with the most handsome man.
[Calm and cautious.]
She called his name softly in her heart.
I feel... a little tired.
But... I'm very happy.
In this life, I've been a lazy bum and a goddess. But my favorite identity... is still your Lady Shen.
If there's a next life... remember... you still need a pair of ears that can hear my heart's whispers.
Otherwise... I'm afraid that if I scold you, you won't hear me, and I'll feel very lonely.
Shen Jin closed his eyes, and a single tear slid down his cheek.
He heard it.
Every word was heard clearly.
His last words were still so...adorable, yet heartbreaking.
"good."
He responded in a low voice, as soft as the wind, "I will remember."
"In my next life... I will definitely train my ears to be better. I will definitely... find you the moment I see you."
"I'll take you to eat a family bucket, I'll take you to buy gold bars, I'll take you to... see all the wonders of this world."
Jiang Mianmian's smile froze.
She held Chen Jin's hand, her strength gradually waning until... she finally calmed down.
On this warm spring afternoon, amidst the fragrance of flowers in the garden, the most legendary "goddess" princess of the Great Gan passed away peacefully beside her beloved.
This life... was worth it.
This was the last sound she left for the world.
Chen Jin remained motionless.
He held her hand tightly, feeling the last bit of warmth slowly dissipate.
He didn't cry.
Because he had said he would walk with her.
"Mianmian".
Shen Jin gazed at the setting sun on the horizon, his eyes gradually becoming unfocused, yet filled with anticipation.
"Wait for me."
"I'll peel the shrimp for you."
A moment later.
The rocking chair stopped rocking.
The two elderly people held hands, bathed in the golden sunset, as if they were simply asleep.
A satisfied smile graced his lips.
The wind blew, and petals fell, covering them like the softest blanket.
...
Historical records state:
In the spring of the fortieth year of the Xuanhe reign of the Great Gan Dynasty, Prince Shen Jin and Lady Jiang, the Protector of the Nation, died on the same day at Shen Garden in Jiangnan.
The whole country is in mourning.
Legend has it that when the two passed away, the peach blossoms in the garden were in full bloom and never faded, and there were signs of phoenixes singing in harmony in the sky.
A later poet wrote:
One life, one love, one partner; half-drunk, half-awake, half-floating through life.
If you ask where the best place in the world is, it is where hearts connect.
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